Welcome to Your Next Bite's first edition of Your Next Nite – where to bite AND spend the nite all in one.
If you're looking for a tropical getaway with five star service, wind-in-your-hair romance, and all-inclusive amenities without the buffet, then Blue Diamond Riviera Maya Resort is your place.
I can honestly say, Blue Diamond is the best beach vacation the hand model & I ever had. (And I've been to Tahiti, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Thomas, the French Riviera, San Sebastian Spain, Miami, Nantucket, The Hamptons, Malibu, and three major islands of Hawaii.)
This all-inclusive, adults-only resort feels like a private residence, where every staff member knows your name. It's located on the Riviera Maya, about 45 minutes south of Cancun and 20 minutes north of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. There's a constant Caribbean Sea coastal breeze that makes the palm trees sway away the 90 degree humidity, and you and your lover swoon.
Six months ago, Blue Diamond was the Mandarin Oriental. (Though it's hard to tell, since the high standard of service hasn't changed.) Walk into the open air, warm wood lobby and you're greeted by silence, the occasional bird chirping, and a friendly host with a refreshing glass of Pineapple, Orange & Passion Fruit Juice.
After checking-in and choosing your complimentary activities (snorkeling, Ceviche cooking class, purifying Temezcal sweat lodge), a golf-cart guide will whisk you past the spa to your room. (Make sure to take advantage of the complimentary yoga classes, state-of-the-art gym, and fabulous spa with His 'n Hers pools and rotund Turkish tiled steam room that even pumps music.)
Oh, and that room of yours is more like the size of a large apartment – especially if you're staying in a Cenote Deluxe Junior Suite. There's a huge foyer with walk-in His 'n Hers closets, complimentary minibar (restocked daily), a grand bathroom with His 'n Hers sinks & rainshowers, an outdoor limestone plunge bath, and King-size bedroom with flat-screen TV and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking your patio and the cenote.
After soaking in the beginning of what's to be a beautiful vacation, call for your golf cart guide (say hello to Guillermo for us) or hop on a complimentary beach cruiser and head to the infinity pool overlooking the beach.
The view is mesmerizing and can also be enjoyed via pool bar with top-shelf liquors (remember it's complimentary) or the Aquamarina restaurant. There you'll be leafing through 6 pages of made-to-order choices for Breakfast, including a variety of fresh-pressed juices (again, everything is all-inclusive). At night, the same restaurant rotates 3 themed dinners: Mayan (the best), Cote d'Azur, and Mexican.
For a classic, piano-bar, swankier night, head to AmBar on the laguna, where Charlie the resident crocodile swims. (Men must wear long pants here, but not to worry, as they're sold in both shops in case you forget to pack some.)
The Grubdown:
Breakfast at Aquamarina
- your essential greens + tropical fruit juice kick, Exotic Green Juice with Parsley, Celery, Cucumber & Pineapple
- hilariously misspelled, but does the soothing trick, "Southing" Juice with Lemon, Ginger & Mint
- most bang for your bite, spicy 'n smooth, Mayan Fried Eggs atop Crispy Tortilla with Peas, Ham & side of Plantains
- irresistible, authentic, ordered them at every meal, Chilaquiles with both Red & Green Sauces, Red Onion, Scallions & Crema
Lunch at Ceviche Bar
- refreshing, Ginger bite 'n mashed Sweet Potato treat, Peruvian Ceviche with fresh caught Grouper, Red Onion, Coriander, Lemon Juice & Garlic
- what Mexico is all about, Tortilla Chips, Pico De Gallo & just-what-the-Mexican-doctor-ordered Guacamole
Mayan Dinner Theme at Aquamarina
- super spicy with tender meat, Xcatic Chile Stuffed with Spiced Pork, Fried Red Onion & Red Pumpkin Sauce
- i love Pumpkin but the Banana beat it with its addicting sweetness, Banana Cream Soup with Cumin Essence
- juicy 'n plump Shrimp soaks up the fragrantly Picante Sauce, Shrimps Tikin-Xic marinated with Annatto Seeds, Peppers, White Rice & Fried Bananas
- decadent yet fluffy like mom used to make, Chocolate Cake with Guajillo Chile, Guava Compote & Local Seeds
AmBar Dinner
- like a grown-up Au Jus with almost rare meat and table-side pour, Beef Consomme Flamed with Brandy, Peppers & Iberico Ham
- a special for the night that did not disappoint because of its buttery texture, Grilled Lobster Tail with Creamy Coriander & Curry Sauce, Asparagus, Carrots & Tarragon Risotto Cake
- too much is going on with this plate, and the local wild 'n super meaty Mushroom Green Spinach Lasagna could stand on its own, Veal Scallops with Beef Juice with Coconut Milk
- a trifecta of Chocolate heaven, Picasso's Guernica with Cocoa Seeds Biscuit, Coco Sauce, Liquid 72% Chocolate & Coconut Ice Cream
My favorite restaurant was Aquamarina's Mayan cuisine. It was authentic without overly complicated ingredients & additions.
While Ambar definitely brought the ambiance, the menu over-extended itself with everything from Quail and Veal to Scallops and Steak. Bite Advice: stick to the specials for optimum, succinct flavors. Their dessert, however, definitely took the cake.
Both dinner restaurants offered a lovely amuse-bouche too. And we never left hungry, no matter the meal.
The only caveat to the hotel is that the nightlife leaves much to be desired with their one and only Cigar Lounge always empty.
If you want to venture out to eat and pry open your wallet for the first time, I highly recommend Hartwood Restaurant in nearby Tulum. It's all open-air, no walls, and all the food is fresh from the sea or local farm.
For a day trip, follow this helpful Tripadvisor guide to Chichen Itza, Coba, and a Cenote. (Make sure to bring an extra 100 pesos as the prices have increased, and definitely get out the door by 7am.)
Muchas Gracias Blue Diamond for a sooo much more amazing vacation than the hand model & I could have ever expected.
Hasta Luego!
